A palletizing elevator is provided that lowers gradually a pallet thereon from an upper level as it is filled with products, and by providing an empty pallet infeed system that moves empty pallets towards the palletizing elevator simultaneously to the palletizing of products thereon. The empty pallet infeed system includes an empty pallet elevator for raising empty pallets to the upper level and a conveying system between the empty pallet elevator and the palletizing elevator for moving the empty pallets of from the empty pallet elevator at the upper level to the palletizing elevator while a pallet is moved by the palletizing elevator during its filling.

The invention relates to a method for delivering a shipment by an unmanned transport device to a receiving container for said shipment, the method comprising the following and additional steps: moving the unmanned transport device into a destination area associated with the receiving container, on the basis of geographical co-ordinates; once the unmanned transport device has reached the destination area, pairing of the transport device with the receiving container and exchanging electronic authorisation information between the receiving container and the unmanned transport device.

An apparatus for loading and unloading any truck without the need for any adaptation or automation of the trailer, by means of movable pliable pneumatic lifting beams, i.e., beams that correct the direction of movement based on the alignment of the trailer, or that accommodate any different angle of the trailer in relation to the loading bay, such as, for example, the movement of the suspension of the truck itself as the cargo is loaded, or the angle between the trailer door and the front part of said trailer as the trailer is lifted at the door to align the bay to the entry of the pneumatic lifting beams.

An apparatus for loading and unloading any truck without the need for any adaptation or automation of the trailer, by means of movable pliable pneumatic lifting beams, i.e., beams that correct the direction of movement based on the alignment of the trailer, or that accommodate any different angle of the trailer in relation to the loading bay, such as, for example, the movement of the suspension of the truck itself as the cargo is loaded, or the angle between the trailer door and the front part of said trailer as the trailer is lifted at the door to align the bay to the entry of the pneumatic lifting beams.

A pallet lifting assembly and method thereof is provided for enabling the pallet lifting assembly to place a pallet atop an unmanned autonomous vehicle, such as an AMR or AGV. There is a pallet receiver positioned at or closely adjacent floor level, wherein the pallet receiver is configured to receive at least one pallet thereon and the pallet is adapted to support items thereon once received by the pallet receiver. There may be a guide system on the pallet receiver that accommodates different sized pallets. A lifting mechanism may raise the pallet receiver from floor level to a sufficient height that permits unmanned autonomous vehicle to move beneath the pallet receiver and the receiver be lowered to place the pallet atop the unmanned autonomous vehicle.

A pallet lifting assembly and method thereof is provided for enabling the pallet lifting assembly to place a pallet atop an unmanned autonomous vehicle, such as an AMR or AGV. There is a pallet receiver positioned at or closely adjacent floor level, wherein the pallet receiver is configured to receive at least one pallet thereon and the pallet is adapted to support items thereon once received by the pallet receiver. There may be a guide system on the pallet receiver that accommodates different sized pallets. A lifting mechanism may raise the pallet receiver from floor level to a sufficient height that permits unmanned autonomous vehicle to move beneath the pallet receiver and the receiver be lowered to place the pallet atop the unmanned autonomous vehicle.

An assembly includes a conveyance mechanism configured to move in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and an energy limiting device coupled to the conveyance mechanism. The energy limiting device is configured to move in the first direction with the conveyance mechanism, and move in the second direction as the conveyance mechanism moves in the first direction upon an amount of force greater than a threshold amount of force being imparted to the energy limiting device. A sensor is configured to generate sensor data associated with movement of the energy limiting device in the second direction as the conveyance mechanism moves in the first direction.

An assembly includes a conveyance mechanism configured to move in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and an energy limiting device coupled to the conveyance mechanism. The energy limiting device is configured to move in the first direction with the conveyance mechanism, and move in the second direction as the conveyance mechanism moves in the first direction upon an amount of force greater than a threshold amount of force being imparted to the energy limiting device. A sensor is configured to generate sensor data associated with movement of the energy limiting device in the second direction as the conveyance mechanism moves in the first direction.

An elevating device includes: a mount section on which an article is placeable; a protruding-retreating mechanism supporting the mount section and configured to cause the mount section to protrude and retreat in a protruding-retreating direction extending in a horizontal direction; an elevating mechanism supporting the protruding-retreating mechanism and configured to raise and lower the protruding-retreating mechanism; and a base supporting the elevating mechanism, wherein the elevating mechanism includes a first support section being an area supporting the protruding-retreating mechanism, the elevating device further includes a second support section being separate from the first support section and supporting the protruding-retreating mechanism, and the second support section is configured to (i) allow the elevating mechanism to raise and lower the protruding-retreating mechanism, and (ii) support a moment that acts on the protruding-retreating mechanism with the first support section serving as a fulcrum.

An elevating device includes: a mount section on which an article is placeable; a protruding-retreating mechanism supporting the mount section and configured to cause the mount section to protrude and retreat in a protruding-retreating direction extending in a horizontal direction; an elevating mechanism supporting the protruding-retreating mechanism and configured to raise and lower the protruding-retreating mechanism; and a base supporting the elevating mechanism, wherein the elevating mechanism includes a first support section being an area supporting the protruding-retreating mechanism, the elevating device further includes a second support section being separate from the first support section and supporting the protruding-retreating mechanism, and the second support section is configured to (i) allow the elevating mechanism to raise and lower the protruding-retreating mechanism, and (ii) support a moment that acts on the protruding-retreating mechanism with the first support section serving as a fulcrum.